How do I proceed?

Forum

OUR FORUM IS UP BUT WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF UPDATING AND FIXING THINGS. SOME THINGS WILL LOOK WEIRD AND/OR NOT BE CORRECT. YOUR PATIENCE IS APPRECIATED. We are not fully ready to answer questions in a timely manner as we are not officially open, but we will do our best.

You may have received a 2-factor authentication (2FA) email from us on 4/21/2020. That was from us, but was premature as the login was not working at that time.

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

What are we about? Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules.

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 3sd replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 3 months ago by LBJ10.

Viewing 3 reply threads

Author

Messages
- 08/16/2014 at 4:01 PM
  hummerbee
  Participant
  9 posts
  The first couple of sessions went well after their first night together, in their own cages next to each other. Our second session today I don’t think went as well. Our male resident bunny (neutered) has been trying to assert his dominance to our new female, spayed 2 weeks ago. The first night’s session she submitted and didn’t fight him off. He’s tried a few other times but she bolts when he hops up, and it looked like he lowered his head at one point for her to groom him. Otherwise he seemed quite interested in her but they both laid a few feet away from each other, indifferent. Both groomed themselves a moment.
  
  Just now, it didn’t go great. They were both trying to mount each other, and were circling head-to-tail in attempt to mount. I broke it up as well as I could with oven-mitt protected hands but some fur flew and put them away in their cages again after breaking it up a second time after the circling.
  
  Where do I go from here? Just keep trying short sessions and attempt to keep her still, letting the male try to show dominance?
- 08/16/2014 at 5:00 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17028 posts
  First, I would recommend waiting until 4 weeks post-neuter. At two weeks, she could still be a little wacky. I would keep doing the side by side cages, just make sure there is space in between.
  
  Now with the circling and mounting, were they actually being aggressive with each other and fighting? If it was simply circling and mounting, then it is generally best to let them work it out. You can’t “force” one to submit to the other. They need to figure these things out for themselves.
  
  You could try some stress bonding with them by putting them in a basket, box, or carrier and taking them for a car ride together. Or you can put them on top of a running washing machine. Or you can simply drag them around and give them a little shake inside the basket if they start acting aggressively.
- 08/16/2014 at 5:47 PM
  hummerbee
  Participant
  9 posts
  I’ll see about splitting up the playtime for them so one is still caged. I’m assuming it’s OK for him to go sniffing around his cage while he’s out? He’s quite drawn to her and they sniff noses early on.
  
  For the circling it seemed a bit more aggressive and vigorous. It got to where she was hopping up into the air, and over him to get away. I split it up the one time when the circling started and a minute later it looked out of control the second time around. It kind of looked like he was trying to grab a hold of her rear-end with his mouth when I put a piece of cardboard in between them.
  
  I’ll wait another week at least before trying them both out of the cage at once. I’ve been considering the stressing but it seems pretty early on to start, only been 24 hours since we brought her home.
- 08/16/2014 at 10:08 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17028 posts
  You can let them sniff through the bars if they are supervised. If they are being housed next to each other, it’s a good idea to have a space between the cages just to make sure nothing can happen when you’re not watching.
  
  I would wait and then try doing the short bonding sessions again later. See what happens then and you can take things from there. Like I said, sometimes you just need to let them work things out. Mounting and humping are completely normal. Nipping is normal. Only intervene if a fight is about the break out. Start with short sessions first and always try to end things on a positive note if you can. If they need a little extra persuasion, then you can try stressing too. Hopefully that helps.
Author

Messages

Viewing 3 reply threads

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.